--- title: "How to clean dust behind radiators and in the fins" description: "How to clean dust behind radiators, between plates and in the fins: tools, safe procedure when cold, what to use to wash and tidying around heating." url: https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/jak-vycistit-radiator-a-podlahove-topeni-okoli language: en updated: 2026-11-13 publisher: Úklid 1-2-3 (info@uklid123.cz, +420 608 486 486) --- Stains and materials # Dust behind radiators and in the fins: how to clean it before the heating season Dust between radiator plates rises into the air when heating starts and can be noticeable. We show which tools to use and how to clean the radiator safely when cold. Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team · Published 13 November 2026 · Last reviewed 13 November 2026 · 7 min read ## In short - Clean the radiator when cold, with the thermostatic valve turned to minimum. - Pull dust from between the plates with a narrow long brush and vacuum it immediately with the flat attachment. - Water with ordinary soap is sufficient for washing; manufacturers do not recommend abrasive or harsh products. - Place a damp towel under the radiator to catch dust, then wipe the wall, windowsill and floor. - The best time is shortly before the first heating, in September or October, and further cleaning depends on dust levels. Dust behind radiators and between the fins is best cleaned when cold. Turn the thermostatic valve to minimum, let the radiator cool down and place a damp towel underneath. Pull dust from the top and bottom with a long narrow brush, vacuuming continuously with a flat attachment. Finally, wipe the surfaces with a cloth dampened in water with mild soap and check the wall and floor around it. ## Why dust accumulates in radiators and why it is noticeable when heating starts A radiator heats the air that rises around it. Dust, hair and textile fibres are carried along with the air, and some of them settle on surfaces you cannot reach during regular cleaning. In panel radiators, these are mainly the corrugated sheets between the plates under the top grille, in sectional radiators the gaps between the fins, and in all types the space behind the radiator against the wall. Over the summer, when the radiator is not heating, a layer of dust settles peacefully. When you first turn on the heating in October or November, the warm air begins to lift it and spread it around the room. Many people notice this by the typical dusty smell in the first days of the heating season and by the grey marks on the wall above the radiator. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its page [on biological contaminants in air](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/biological-pollutants-impact-indoor-air-quality) warns that household dust rises into the air during normal activities and may contain a number of biological contaminants. It therefore recommends regularly vacuuming and wiping hard surfaces with a damp cloth. A radiator is precisely the kind of place where dust accumulates and from which it easily returns to the air. ## Tools worth having on hand - **Radiator brush**: long and flat, with soft bristles, to pass between the plates and fins. - **Vacuum cleaner with a flat (slot) attachment**: for dust from the top grille, the bottom edge and the floor under the radiator. If you have a vacuum with a HEPA filter, use it. - **Microfibre sleeve on a pole** (so-called sleeve): insert it between the plates or behind the radiator and wipe tight gaps. - **Brush** with soft bristles for corners, valves and the thermostatic head. - **Old towel or cloth**: dampened, placed on the floor under the radiator to catch falling dust. - **Microfibre cloths**, a bucket of lukewarm water and **mild soap** (for example, washing-up liquid). - **Gloves**, if you are adding any cleaning product to the water. If someone in the flat has an allergy or asthma, it is sensible for them not to be in the room during cleaning. The EPA on its page [on asthma triggers](https://www.epa.gov/asthma/asthma-triggers-gain-control) states that people with asthma or allergies should avoid the area when vacuuming. ## Before you start: safety - **The radiator must be cold.** Turn the thermostatic valve to zero or the snowflake symbol and wait for the radiator to cool down. You can burn yourself on hot metal and a damp cloth left on it will leave marks. - **Only close valves with the head.** Do not loosen fittings, the bleed valve or connections. If the radiator appears to have air in it or water is dripping from it, this is a job for a plumber or building manager. - **Electric or oil-filled radiators** should be switched off and unplugged. Follow its instructions, especially regarding damp cleaning. - **Grilles and covers** should only be removed if you know how. Do not force them. - **Open a window** so that stirred-up dust can escape outside. The EPA on its page [Introduction to Indoor Air Quality](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality) states that insufficient ventilation increases the concentration of pollutants indoors. ## Step-by-step procedure ### Panel radiator with top grille - Turn the valve head to minimum and let the radiator cool down. - Place a damp towel under the radiator along its entire length. - Vacuum the top grille with a flat attachment. According to the manufacturer Korado, horizontal radiators can be cleaned with a brush without removing the grille, see [Korado frequently asked questions](https://www.korado.cz/faq) . - Insert a radiator brush from above between the plates and slowly pull it down. Dust falls onto the towel. Work along the entire length of the radiator. - With the brush or sleeve, pass along the gap between the radiator and the wall, then the bottom edge from underneath. - Vacuum the towel and the floor under the radiator, then wash the towel. - Wipe the outer plates, sides, head and pipes with a cloth dampened in water with soap and wipe with a dry cloth. If you want to remove the grille and side covers, the procedure varies according to Korado depending on the year of manufacture of the radiator. For newer RADIK radiators, the top cover holder is first unclipped and the side cover is removed. Other brands have their own solutions, so follow the instructions for your radiator. ### Sectional (cast iron or steel) radiator - Place a damp towel under the radiator. - Run a narrow brush from top to bottom through the gaps between the fins, using the sleeve for deeper areas. - Vacuum dust from the towel and floor with a flat attachment. - Wipe the fins with a damp cloth and dry them, gently with old finishes to avoid flaking. ### Tubular bathroom radiator The tubes can simply be wiped with a damp cloth and dried, and the gap between the tubes and the wall can be passed with a sleeve. If the radiator has an electric heating element, switch it off and unplug it according to the instructions. ## What to use to wash the radiator and what to avoid Korado in its answers to frequently asked questions states that radiators can be cleaned with ordinary household cleaning products that are dilutable with water and are not abrasive or chemically harsh. In practice, this means lukewarm water with a drop of soap and a soft cloth. - Do not use the rough sides of sponges, scourers or abrasive powders. They will scratch the paint and rust can form under the damaged finish. - Avoid solvents and strong degreasers unless explicitly allowed by the radiator manufacturer. - Read the label of any product, wear gloves and ventilate during work. - Test a new product first on a hidden area, for example on the back of the side. - Never mix chlorine-based products with acids or ammonia. Why is explained in the article [which cleaning products never to mix](https://uklid123.cz/blog/nebezpecne-kombinace-cisticich-prostredku) . Also beware of using a hairdryer, which is sometimes recommended for cleaning radiators. It will blow the dust out, but it will stir it up throughout the room. A brush combined with a vacuum is safer. ## Around the radiator: wall, windowsill, floor and underfloor heating The grey marks on the wall above the radiator form because warm air carries dust upwards and it settles on the wall. After cleaning the radiator, first try to carefully vacuum the wall with a brush attachment or wipe it with a dry cloth. Attempt wet cleaning only on washable paint and always test a small area first, otherwise you risk smudging the mark. Wipe the windowsill above the radiator with a damp cloth, wash curtains and blinds above the radiator according to the label, as they catch the same dust. Vacuum and wipe the floor in front of the radiator as you would the rest of the room. With floor convectors with a grille in the floor, crumbs, sand and hair get into the duct. Lift the grille if the manufacturer's instructions allow, and vacuum the duct. With underfloor heating beneath the floor covering, nothing special needs cleaning. However, only wash the floor with a slightly damp mop and products suitable for the floor covering. Do not place thick carpets or furniture without feet over underfloor heating unless the manufacturer allows it. ## How often to clean radiators Main cleaning is worthwhile just before the first heating, in September or October. During the heating season, it is enough to vacuum the top grille and surrounding area during regular cleaning and occasionally run a brush between the plates. Where to fit radiator cleaning into your routine can be found in the guide [how often to clean a flat](https://uklid123.cz/blog/jak-casto-uklizet-byt) and in the [household cleaning plan](https://uklid123.cz/blog/uklidovy-plan-domacnosti) . The EPA states that people with allergies or asthma may need to clean more frequently or thoroughly. If this is the case for you, see the article [cleaning with a dust mite allergy](https://uklid123.cz/blog/uklid-pri-alergii-na-roztoce) . If you have many radiators or want to clean them along with windows and other hard-to-reach areas, you can order this as [deep cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/sluzby/generalni-uklid) from Úklid 1-2-3. You can find an indicative scope and price on the page [how much does deep cleaning cost](https://uklid123.cz/kolik-stoji-generalni-uklid) . ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need to drain water or close valves below the radiator for cleaning? No. To clean dust, it is sufficient to turn the thermostatic valve to minimum and wait for the radiator to cool down. Do not loosen the fittings, connections or bleed valve. If the radiator drips, does not heat evenly or appears to have air in it, leave this to a plumber or building manager. For electric or oil-filled radiators, simply switch off the device and unplug it from the socket according to the instructions. ### Why do I notice a strange smell from the radiator when heating starts? A common cause is dust that has accumulated in the radiator over the summer, and the warm air now brings it into the room. It will help to clean the radiator when cold with a brush and vacuum, and to ventilate more in the first days of heating. If the smell is not dusty, smells like burning or gas, or does not go away after cleaning, do not try to find the cause yourself and contact a professional or the building manager. ### Do I need to remove the grille from a panel radiator for cleaning? You do not. The manufacturer Korado states that horizontal radiators can be cleaned with a brush without removing the grille. Insert a narrow radiator brush between the fins from above and draw the dust down onto a damp towel. Remove the grille only if you know the procedure for your radiator type and year of manufacture, and never press the covers with force. ### What should I use to wash the radiator without damaging the paint? Lukewarm water with a drop of ordinary soap and a soft microfibre cloth will suffice. Korado recommends products that are dilutable with water, which are not abrasive or chemically harsh. Avoid scouring pads, abrasive powders and solvents. Read the label of any product, wear gloves, ventilate and test a new product first on a hidden area. Finally, wipe the radiator dry. ## Sources - [Často kladené dotazy – KORADO](https://www.korado.cz/faq) (checked 13 November 2026) - [Biological Contaminants and Indoor Air Quality – U.S. EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/biological-pollutants-impact-indoor-air-quality) (checked 13 November 2026) - [Introduction to Indoor Air Quality – U.S. EPA](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality) (checked 13 November 2026) - [Asthma Triggers: Gain Control – U.S. EPA](https://www.epa.gov/asthma/asthma-triggers-gain-control) (checked 13 November 2026) Prepared by the Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team with the help of AI and verified against the sources listed. Manufacturers' instructions and regulations change: always follow the current wording of the source and the product label. This article is general information, not professional or legal advice. This article was translated from Czech with the help of AI. The sources are in the original language. ## Would you rather not clean yourself? Choose a service and a part of Prague and you will see an estimated price straight away. We will get back to you with a date; the enquiry is non-binding. [Calculate the price and request cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/poptavka?sluzba=domacnost) [How much does it cost](https://uklid123.cz/kolik-stoji-uklid-bytu-praha) ## Related articles [Stains and materials How to remove cigarette smoke odour from a flat: walls, textiles, windows and air Cigarette smoke odour is held by residue on walls, windows and in textiles. 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